News Thirty million quality timepieces turned out in Longines' workshops since 1867 – no mean feat, surely worth celebrating. And celebration was precisely the order of the day on February 19, 2001 at Longines' history-laden corporate headquarters in Saint-Imier. A reception, a brief survey by management of the company's past, present and prospects, the launch of a commemorative model, the official presentation of a historic Longines watch, the inauguration of an exhibition – in short, a very special day honoring a very special occasion.
Built in 1867, extended and modernized many times since, Longines' company seat in Saint-Imier was hosting corporate acquaintances, representatives of the watch industry and many other guests on February 19, 2001 to celebrate the birth of its thirty millionth watch. Personalities on hand for the occasion include Mr François Habersaat, president of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH), Mr Stéphane Boillat, mayor of Saint-Imier, Mrs Nicole Bosshart, deputy to the management at the International Museum of Watchmaking in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Mr François Matile, representing the Swiss Watch Industry Employers Association, Mr Eric Ruedin, of the Watch and Microtechnology Business Association, as well as Longines' ambassadoress of elegance, Ms Qu Ying (photo), of China, in Switzerland for the occasion.
Commenting on the company's current situation and prospects, Longines president Walter von Kaenel (photo) stressed that today it was actively engaged in distributing and promoting its timepieces in some 120 markets around the world. The two-digit growth experienced over the last three years testifies to its longstanding expertise at the design, production and distribution of attractive, market-tested products. Its performance furthermore stems from a totally restructured, updated and rejuvenated collection marketed worldwide under the single, all-inclusive theme of elegance. Global in scope, unique in character and strategically enduring, the theme concretely expresses the new market posture adopted by Longines a few years back.
In fitting salute to its historic thirty millionth watch, a handsomely classic selfwinding design is being added to the collection. Featuring an 18K gold case with hinged back that opens to reveal the movement it houses, this design (see photos) is being produced in a strictly limited, individually numbered series of 990 only: 390 in yellow gold, 300 in white gold and 300 in pink gold.
First watch in the series, the thirty millionth Longines was officially bestowed by its makers on the International Museum of Watchmaking in La Chaux-de-Fonds, represented in Saint-Imier by Mrs Nicole Bosshart. This historic Longines model will take its place alongside other exceptional timepieces that have marked the distinguished history of horology.
This unique event even prompted the company to organize a special exhibition on the subject. Called "The 30,000,000 Longines Watches", it was inaugurated by the actress, singer and model Qu Ying, whose beauty and talent make her a memorable "ambassadoress of Longines elegance". Including Hong Kong, China, her native country, has today become Longines' largest, most important market. So important, in fact, that it alone could easily accelerate the date of production of Longines' forty millionth timepiece.
February 28, 2001
